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Over 100 ideas to get your virtual assistant business off the ground. Includes a bonus recipe section.
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Over 100 Things You Can Do As
a Virtual Assistant
The Single Work at Home Mom
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
The Single Work at Home Mom Page 1
Liability / Disclaimer of Warranty:
NOTICE: You Do NOT Have the Right to Reprint or Resell this Report!
You Also MAY NOT Give Away, Sell or Share the Content Herein!
The author and publisher of this guide and the accompanying materials have used
their best efforts in preparing this program. The author and publisher make no
representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or
completeness of the contents of this program. They disclaim any warranties
(expressed or implied), merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The
authors and the publisher shall in no event be held liable for any loss or other
damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other
damages. As always, the advice of a competent legal, tax, accounting or other
professional should be sought.
The author and publisher do not warrant the performance, effectiveness, or
applicability of any sites listed in this guide. All links are for information purposes only
and are not warranted for content, accuracy or any other implied or explicit purpose.
The material in this manual does not constitute legal advice, only the author’s
interpretation of the laws involved as he understands them. As always, legal advice
should be obtained from a competent legal professional in any business venture.
This manual contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright
Laws and Treaties.
Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited.
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
The Single Work at Home Mom Page 2
What Is a Virtual Assistant?
What is a Virtual Assistant? According to Virtual Assistant Networking Association
(www.vanetworking.com), a Virtual Assistant (VA) is a highly-trained independent
entrepreneur who provides a myriad of business support services virtually via phone, fax
and internet based technology to support and meet the growing needs of businesses
worldwide.
I have worked online from home since 2007 and the following marketing techniques are
ones that I have personally used to sign clients to retainer contracts. I highly advise you
to try several ideas, track what does and does not work and stick with it. You do not
want to waste money on marketing strategies that are not effective.
The following are some tried-and-true methods that I have personally used over the
years to find work as a virtual assistant.
1. If you are just starting out and not quite sure what services you want to offer clients, I
recommend volunteering. I went online to Volunteer Match and found an organization
in need of a virtual assistant. By working with this client, I not only got to hone my
business skills but provided pro bono administrative support services to an organization
in need. You may also want to find local nonprofit organizations in your area. Many are
more than open to volunteers. In addition to routine administrative tasks, you may want
to offer to develop a website, come up with new fundraising ideas, create a donor
database or newsletter, the ideas go on and on.
2. There are many freelance sites online. Keep in mind that you will probably not be able
to demand your initial retainer rate but they are great to utilize when starting your
business. Some of the better known sites are: ODesk and Elance. Read all policy
information carefully. You will need to know how to submit resumes, how to create a
profile and how/when you will be paid.
3. A free marketing tool is your email signature. Create an email signature with all of
your contact information such as your phone number, website and a tagline describing
your business. I did sign a client this way. Our initial contact had nothing to do with my
business but about finding a house!
4. Talk to EVERYONE about your business. You never know who knows who you need to
know. During a meeting with a woman regarding a non-business related matter, I
casually brought up my business. It turned out she runs a nonprofit and was looking for
administrative help. Had I not brought up my business she would not have known about
my services and I would not have found out she needed help. A win/win situation!
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
The Single Work at Home Mom Page 3
5. Decide on a niche. Do you enjoy repetitive typing? Consider typing manuscripts for
authors. Are you a design guru? Find business owners in need of website or blog
design. Business owners love writers who can blog for their business. Real estate
investors and agents are an excellent source for work. Find your passion and then find
someone who needs your services.
6. If you do not have a LinkedIn account, you are truly missing out on a lot of
opportunities. Not only can you network with like-minded professionals and join
relevant groups but there are loads of opportunities that will probably not be advertised
elsewhere!
7. Develop a portfolio, showcasing your best work. Include writing samples, any blog or
web designs and references to vouch for your work.
8. Most of all, be creative! There are tons of ways to market your business. You just
have to do what is comfortable for you. What works for one may not work for you. After
all, this is your business, right?
Now….let’s discuss the services you can offer as a virtual assistant.
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The Single Work at Home Mom Page 4
Specific Tasks 1) Process mailings for clients
2) Perform outbound telemarketing calls seeking clients/sellers/buyers
3) Enter contacts into MS Outlook or other database management program
4) Set/cancel appointments
5) Work with Excel spreadsheets to organize leads and other data
6) Work with MS Word to create mail merges and process mailings
7) Answer incoming calls
8) Return phone calls
9) Type and send letters or contracts
10) Make travel arrangements
11) Call for quotes for other services
12) Order services on the client’s behalf
13) Screen and answer emails
14) Prepare newsletters
15) Plan events or meetings
16) Arrange and put together seminars or
teleseminars
17) Proof read your written materials
18) Transcribe meetings
19) Correspond with clients/tenants regarding
payments and late fees, via mail and phone
20) Mail outs such as postcards or letters for
marketing purposes
21) Check voice mail; return calls
22) Photos (edit and list on websites)
23) Research
24) Flyers
25) Create PowerPoint presentations
26) Thank you notes
27) Newsletters
28) Customer call backs
29) Promotional mailing
30) Thank you gifts
31) Order promotional items
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Secretarial Services
32) Answer telephones during
business hours. Calls can be routed
to your home office.
33) Using new programs which allow
remote access to computers, the
virtual assistant can work on your
computer at a distance. Running
scans, repairing registries, updating
the system to run better and faster all can be done remotely. Interactive software is
commonly used to allow the virtual assistant and your calendar to be on the same page.
34) Confirm appointments for clients on a weekly basis. Your client can simply fax or
email a list to you. You call the appointments and note who is confirmed and who must
be rescheduled. Fax or email the list
back to the clients and update the
client calendar online.
35) Provide directions to a meeting or
seminar. Get the directions and either
calls or email those directions to the
client.
36) Fill out routine paperwork for
clients.
37) Keep back-up tapes of your client’s computer. They can send to you for safe-
keeping. In the event of a disaster on your client’s computer, you will have the files!
38) Coordinate air travel, car rental and hotel reservations. Take care of the
arrangements and email the itinerary to your client.
39) Conduct billing for your clients.
40) A virtual assistant can audit banking records, and review telephone bills, including
cell phone records and report any problems back to the clients.
41) Prepare business procedures and type business manuals.
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Research 42) Research. The virtual assistant contacts several hotels in the area to find availability
of the date, size, and specifics of the seminar. Obtain written quotes from the hotels
that can accommodate the request. Review each quote for completeness and report the
findings for final decision.
43) Obtain pricing for office equipment and email the information to the client for the
final decision.
44) Research a topic online for an important proposal. Do a keyword search and list the
websites/findings to the client.
45) Prepare a marketing plan, contact possible advertising outlets on the Internet,
magazines, periodicals, newspapers, etc. and acquire information on pricing, publishing
dates, publishing deadlines, payment policies, etc.
Word Processing/Presentations 46) Take notes at meetings and type them,
formatting into a newsletter if needed.
47) Edit and format reports.
48) Type and print the same letter personalized to
many recipients. Mail the letter and charge the
postage costs back to the client.
49) Prepare a PowerPoint presentation for a client
seminar.
50) Prepare a questionnaire fact sheet for seminar participants. Follow up with
participants and summarize the questionnaire responses in a report.
51) Better still – design the questionnaire!
52) Create a form or template for your client.
53) Verify client database (name, spelling, title and address). Save the database as a
“zip” file and email to the client.
54) Send out email blasts, using ConstantContact.
55) Be available via Instant Message to handle last minute projects effectively.
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
The Single Work at Home Mom Page 7
56) Send out monthly
reports for customers.
Keep a calendar and sends
reports in a timely manner.
Desktop Publishing 57) Design, type and print
brochures for a client’s
business.
58) Submit the design file
to a professional print shop
and simply email the file to
the shop for printing.
59) Update your client’s
blog. Get ideas from your client or think of your own.
60) Conduct an eBay auction. Set up the auction, upload photos, monitor and complete
the sale for your client.
61) Design business cards.
62) Design schedules, calendars or flyers.
63) Design a custom website or blog, maintain it on a regular basis, adding current
articles or information as needed.
64) Set-up an autoresponder using AWeber or MailChimp.
65) Design and prepare the newsletters, and arrange printing and mailing, or emailing,
on schedule.
66) Create postcards to be sent to your client’s customers. Order from the fulfillment
house for delivery in bulk to your office, her/his office, or to be labeled and sent out
directly.
67) Send a blind survey to a focus group or list of former customers for feedback.
68) Contact old customers via phone with a prepared script or by sending a targeted
mailing.
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Transcription Services 69) Record calls and transcribe the tape for clients.
70) Your client sends you an MP3 file. Transcribe the audio and email the completed
transcript back to the client.
Email Services 71) Set up a general email account ([email protected]). Retrieve all email, sort,
respond to routine requests, and forward items of importance to your client.
72) Monitor email while your client is on vacation or out of the office. Contact the
client with urgent messages or respond on their behalf.
73) Manage your client’s eZine/newsletter. Although many features can be
automated, correct any incorrect subscription requests or
undeliverable email messages.
Telephone/Fax Services 74) Record a voicemail for your client
if they will be on vacation and
monitor incoming calls. Customers
may contact your directly as well.
75) Have your client forward their
calls to you so you may answer them
live. Respond to routine requests,
and contact your client with urgent
messages.
76) Retrieve messages from voice mail and respond to routine requests.
77) When planning a seminar or conference make phone calls to key contacts, give a
brief overview of the seminar, and schedule a phone appointment for your client to
connect with the contact personally.
Internet Services 78) Upload photographs online through a service or by creating a
personal page (Flickr, for example). Scan and resize the photos, then send out an
invitation to a designated email list to access the photographs.
79) Perform searches to locate a hard to find item.
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80) Make changes to a client’s website.
81) Promote your client’s website by submitting the URL, key words and description to
various search engines on a routine basis.
82) Increase the number of subscribers to your client’s electronic newsletter by listing
the newsletter with a variety of online directories and follow up to make sure the
listings are accurate.
83) Contact other list owners to inquire about mutual cross promotion.
84) Submit articles written by you or your client to eZines to increase exposure.
85) Monitor banner ad placements/click thrus and make recommendations for
adjustments.
86) Set up a shopping cart to sell products and monitor sales reports.
87) Contact similar websites to your client’s and request mutual link exchange.
88) Periodically review your client’s website and verify links. Fix broken links.
Bookkeeping
89) Your client needs bill paying services. Use on-line bill payment services. Security
features can be set up which make this a safe and simple solution.
90) You client needs bill paying services plus
data entry into accounting software.
You can:
a. Set up a checking account with payment
authorization for both of you. As the bills are
prepared for payment, notify your client how
much money to deposit into the account.
b. Prepare the checks for payment and mail
back to your client for signature and mailing.
c. If available from your bank, use on-line bill
payment services. As bills are paid, enter the
transactions into accounting software. In
addition, reconcile bank statements, enter credit card transactions, prepare invoices,
make and/or enter deposits, and prepare end of month reports.
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
The Single Work at Home Mom Page 10
91) Collect on past due invoices, make payment arrangements, accept credit cards over
the phone, etc.
92) Your client needs monthly bank
reconciliation. Using the check register
and the bank statement, enter all data
into accounting software and reconcile
the account. The accounting file is sent
back to your via email attachment.
93) Remind your client, via email or
telephone, when billing due dates arrive.
94) Your client needs monthly auditing of accounts payable and receivable, especially if
these services are performed by an on-site employee.
95) Prepare income tax returns for your client’s business. Prepare 1099’s and W-2s to
be sent out to vendors and contractors.
Purchasing Services 96) Order supplies for your client and have them delivered directly to your client’s
office or home.
97) Research the various makes, models, etc., of office equipment and have written
quotes sent to you. Purchase and arrange for delivery.
98) Set up lines of credit with vendors and monitor to keep your client’s credit
information current and accurate.
99) Order marketing materials (stationery, brochures, envelopes, etc.) for your client.
Obtain pricing quotes; coordinate ordering, design, quantity, delivery and payment.
100) Keep track of birthdays and other milestones, research appropriate gifts, suggest
those items for approval, and coordinate the purchase and delivery of same.
101) Keep track of birthdays and send out cards for your clients.
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Writing/Editing Services 102) Write, edit and proofread
marketing literature.
103) Type, format, proofread, edit,
spell check, and grammar check
documents.
104) Write articles on your client’s
behalf.
Marketing Services 105) Implement an advertising plan or promo. Monitor the plan, submit ads by
deadlines, track expiration dates, coordinate payment, handle correspondence with
advertising vendors, and continually update the advertising report and/or advertising
budget report.
106) Monitor customer satisfaction by creating a feedback questionnaire or survey,
email to customers, review the responses and summarize the responses.
107) Prepare a welcome package and send it to your client’s new customer.
108) Set up lunch appointments for your client to meet with potential customers.
109) Set up exhibits at conventions or expos on a regular basis.
Personal Services 110) Schedule personal tasks such as car maintenance, order groceries or make flight
arrangements.
111) Keep your client’s calendar and remind them of dentist/client/significant other
appointments, family appointments, classes to take, or project deadlines.
112) Research personal items, such as summer camps, schools, etc., for clients.
113) Plan a wedding/reunion/backyard barbeque, assist with the invitation list, mail
the invitations, track RSVPs, track gifts received and even send thank you cards.
114) Research and recommend life insurance, car insurance, home owners insurance,
etc.
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
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115) Plan vacations, provide your client with
options, and then make the travel arrangements,
such as air, hotel and car rental, or all-inclusive
resorts or cruise comparisons.
116) Help a motivational speaker promote their
speaking career. Make appointments with
organizations to arrange speaking engagements,
send out materials, follow up with inquiries, and
coordinate public relations such as press releases.
117) Provide daily updating on personal
investments, stocks, etc.
118) Work with an author to assist them in writing a book. Compile rough drafts, notes,
fragments, letters or memoirs and get them into an editable form to begin the process
of formatting the book, research publishers, and send out queries.
119) Upload audio files to a website or set up to be downloaded as a free report.
Can you think of more? Great! Go for it!
There are lots of business owners who need you and your services! Good luck to you!
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
The Single Work at Home Mom Page 13
Regina has been a home-based entrepreneur since 2007, after the birth of her youngest child.
Her virtual assistant business has provided administrative services to clients worldwide,
primarily real estate investors. Her top-notch organizational skills have helped real estate
professionals close on numerous properties across the United States. As a freelance writer, she
has written articles regarding home-based businesses and is a social media community manager,
as well as a home school speaker and blogger.
Definitely a multi-tasker, she is a single parent of 4 young boys at home, plus a mom to three
adult children and grandmother to four. A passionate advocate for educational choice, Regina
educates three of the boys at home, with the youngest attending a
special needs program for autistic children. Two of the boys
regularly score at least 3 grade levels above average in both
reading and math. The other son completed an entire grade level
in less than six months.
Effective time management is critical to running her home and
business. Everyone has chores (even her special needs son). The
number one question she is asked is: “How do you do it all?” Her
answer is, “I am honest with myself. I know I can’t do it alone. My
children are my rocks and my helpers. They push me to do even
more.”
Regina’s passion is to help other homeschooling parents and
home-based business owners, particularly single parents doing it alone. “I know this is what I
am supposed to be doing. I feel it; I see the progress my boys make on a daily basis. I know it
can be done.” Sometimes even with all of her careful planning, things go wrong. But, “at the
end of the day, we made it…..together. And tomorrow is a new day.”
When time permits, she enjoys watching British sitcoms, reading autobiographies, watching
football and trying to make homemade bread like her mother.
Where You Can Find Regina
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
The Single Work at Home Mom Page 14
Bonus Section - Recipes
Working from home definitely has its benefits. One of them is that I can take the time
to prepare meals for my family. Here are a few of our favorites – enjoy!
I remember my grandmother making fresh rolls. She had a big red ceramic bowl and
she would punch and knead that dough forever. I felt a bit intimidated to attempt to
make homemade bread but my eleven-year-old encouraged me to give it a shot. My
mom shared her recipe with me and I was shocked to find out her recipe involved no
kneading! Sweet!
Mom's Pull-Apart Rolls
4 cups warm water (make sure it is not boiling, otherwise it will kill the yeast)
6 packs of yeast
12 cups of bread flour
1 cup of sugar
4 tsp. of salt
1 cup butter, melted
3 eggs
Dissolve yeast in water. Add sugar and salt, eggs, melted butter and half of the flour.
Beat with a wire whisk or a hand mixer. Add the rest of the flour (add 1/2 cup at a time
- you may have to mix it with your hands at this point) and cover with a cloth. Let it rise
until it doubles in size. Grease the bread pan and shape the rolls. Place the rolls in the
bread pan (very close together to get the pull-apart effect). Let them rise for 20
minutes. Bake for 20-30 minutes on 375 degrees or until golden brown on the top.
Brush with melted butter.
I learned the hard way to place the rolls
together (my aunt so gladly pointed that
out) but I was pleased with my attempt. I
made mini ham sandwiches for lunches,
we had plenty of rolls for dinner and I was
able to freeze half of the rolls. Plus, this
came out a lot cheaper than buying the
prepared rolls. I may retire my
breadmaker after all!
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
The Single Work at Home Mom Page 15
My boys love French fries but buying the frozen bag can get expensive. Buying a 10-
pound bag of Russet potatoes and making my own is so much more economical – and
tasty!
French Fried Potatoes
Ingredients
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 large russet potatoes - peeled, and sliced into 1/4 inch strips
• 6 cups vegetable oil for frying
• salt to taste
Directions
1. In a medium bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water. Soak potatoes in water
mixture for 15 minutes. Remove from water, and dry thoroughly on paper
towels.
2. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Add potatoes, and cook
until golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Season with salt to taste.
Over 100 Things You Can Do as a Virtual Assistant!
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I made this for the boys and they ate it the next day for lunch! I know this one is a
keeper. This original recipe serves 4 but I doubled it in order to create leftovers. I also
substituted rotini pasta for the angel hair to make it a bit heartier.
Kielbasa with Pasta
Ingredients
• 1 pound smoked kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 (14.5 ounce)
cans stewed
tomatoes
• 1 (9 ounce)
package
refrigerated angel
hair pasta
• 1/2 cup grated
Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons
butter, melted
Directions
1. In a large skillet,
saute the kielbasa,
green pepper, onion and garlic in oil until sausage is lightly browned. Stir in
tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Stir in Parmesan
cheese and butter. Serve with kielbasa mixture.
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I have been letting the boys get in the kitchen lately and they have really taken to
cooking. One of the quick lunches they like to whip up is mini pizzas.
Photo Credit: Pillsbury
Individual Mini Pizzas
Ingredients
1 can of biscuits
pizza sauce
mozzarella cheese
sliced pepperoni
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Open the biscuits and flatten them with a
rolling pin or your hand.
2. Spread a tablespoon of pizza sauce on each biscuit dough.
3. Sprinkle mozzarella on the dough and pepperoni on top.
4. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is
melted. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
These can actually be frozen and baked when you need them.
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I use my crock pot – a lot. You would be amazed at what you can cook in a crock pot.
It’s not just ribs, believe me!
Slow Cooker Lasagne
Ingredients
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 (675 ml) jar pasta sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1 3/4 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 3/4 cups KRAFT 4 Cheese Italiano Shredded Cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup Kraft 100% Parmesan Grated Cheese, divided
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 6 lasagna noodles, uncooked (oven-ready)
Directions
1. Brown meat in large skillet; drain. Stir in pasta sauce and
water. Mix ricotta, 1-1/2 cups shredded cheese, 2 Tbsp.
Parmesan, egg and parsley.
2. Spoon 1 cup meat sauce into slow cooker; top with layers
of half each of the noodles, broken to fit, and cheese
mixture. Cover with 2 cups meat sauce. Top with
remaining noodles, broken to fit, cheese mixture and sauce. Cover with lid.
3. Cook on LOW 4 to 6 hours or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with remaining
cheeses; let stand, covered, 10 min. or until melted.
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NOTES